ROCHESTER — For the first time in several months, residents got a chance to sound off on the work in progress relating to the comprehensive rezoning project being undertaken by the Planning Board.

During Monday’s public input session, business owners and residents made suggestions for the zoning map and regulations that will replace the current zoning ordinance after the City Council’s approval down the road.

Karen Parker, of 40 Summer St., questioned why the Planning Board had decided to zone her street as Neighborhood Mixed Use — a zone that is meant to combine residential areas with small businesses.

She said that besides a few exceptions, “There have been no active businesses on that street for at least 18 years.”

While the Planning Board had proposed Chesley Hill Road to remain zoned as Residential 1, meant for mostly single family homes, Dover attorney Malcom McNeill made a case that Residential 2 zoning, which allows for more multifamily homes, be considered for that area instead.

McNeill came before the Planning Board Monday representing a development company, which is considering proposing plans for a 94-unit residential subdivision off Chesley Hill Road, which would include multifamily homes.

Plans for the subdivision have not yet been officially presented to the Planning Board, but McNeill explained that with proximity to shopping centers, highways and places of employment, Chesley Hill Road area would make a great location for apartments.

He said demand for multifamily homes will arise in the future, especially with hundreds of new workers being drawn to the area due to a new manufacturing plant being built at the Granite State Business Park.

“There is a real demand for apartment housing in this area,” said McNeill.

Frank Chiaramitaro, of 74 Rochester Hill Road, showed his support for having his road be zoned as Residential 2, as Rochester Hill Road transitions from having mostly single family homes to having more multifamily houses. He said he preferred that multifamily homes be limited to having no more than four dwelling units without a conditional permit.

Larry Cossette, owner of Larry’s Collision Service on Chestnut Hill Road, said he hopes the Planning Board will consider zoning his business parcel as industrial. Currently, his lot is zoned partially Residential 2 and partially as industrial. The Planning Board, in an effort to eliminate split zones, had proposed to make his entire lot Residential 2, but on Monday, Cossette said having the lot zoned industrial would give him future opportunity to expand and use his property to benefit his business.

With Monday’s input from the public, the Planning Board will continue disusing and making adjustments to the comprehensive rezoning plan, which will replace Chapter 42 of the city’s General Ordinances. A public hearing will be held before the document is sent to the City Council for final approval.